New Grundfos Blueflux® label will go with products that operate at or above the coming IE4 efficiency levels

The new Grundfos Blueflux® label.

Grundfos has unveiled a new level of its Grundfos Blueflux® energy label for motors with especially high efficiency levels.

The new label is given to motors that operate at or above the coming IE4 efficiency levels (see Editor's note*), which define the most efficient motors on the market, according to Preben Poulsen, Program Manager for Motors & Drives at Grundfos. IE is an efficiency rating system for motors like those found in Grundfos pumps. Current European laws state that motors must be at an IE2 level, meaning Grundfos is well ahead of present standards.

PHOTO: The new Grundfos Blueflux® label will appear on products that surpass the coming IE4 efficiency levels – among ‘the highest defined (pump motor) efficiency in the world,’ according to Preben Poulsen, Program Manager for Motors & Drives at Grundfos.

"We are fulfilling our wish to be in the driver’s seat by creating new technology and energy efficient products."

Preben Poulsen, Program Manager for Motors & Drives at Grundfos

Having a high efficiency product will mean that the product will use less energy and by using less energy you will have a lower energy bill.

Preben Poulsen, Program Manager for Motors & Drives at Grundfos

Grundfos Blueflux® is a high-efficiency motor technology designed specifically for pumps. Before March 2013, the label applied to high-efficiency motors that meet IE3 efficiency standards and variable frequency drives (Click the tab at the top of this story: "About variable frequency drives"). This label still exists, but the new label category applies to motors with even higher efficiency.

Poulsen says that products in the new Grundfos Blueflux® category will be among those with “the highest defined efficiency in the world,” which adds up to cost savings for the customer.

According to Grundfos statistics, energy costs account for 85 percent of a pump’s overall lifecycle costs.

The new Grundfos Blueflux® will be given to MGE motors of the “H” and “I” models. These models and their frequency converters comply with IE4 ratings.*

*Editor’s note: The IE4 efficiency levels are defined in IEC 60034-30-1 (CD) draft. As the only defined standard at present, this is chosen as reference, even though the motor technology used in MGE models H & I is outside the scope of IEC 60034-30-1 (CD). Due to this, the motors may not be marked with IE4 on the nameplate, but the efficiency levels can be used as a reference.

"Products in the new Grundfos Blueflux® category will be among those with the highest defined efficiency in the world."

Preben Poulsen, Program Manager for Motors & Drives at Grundfos

About variable frequency drives

Variable Frequency Drives save energy and costs

The newly labelled Grundfos Blueflux®(read more under the tab "New Grundfos Blueflux®") products have an integrated frequency converter, which controls the speed of the motor.

Poulsen says that the efficiency with Grundfos Blueflux® motors works in a similar way as a car’s engine. The best way for the driver to save energy is to gradually reduce speed and lift his foot off the gas. Constantly slamming on the brakes without lifting the foot off the gas will waste energy.

It is the same with pumps. Without a converter, they run constantly at full speed and the only way to reduce flow or pressure is with a valve – or the off switch. The converter saves energy by gradually adjusting speed to meet the pump’s demand.

“If you regulate the flow or pressure with a valve,then you waste a lot of the energy that you just have made with the motor,” he says.

"Drivers who brake constantly without lifting their foot off the gas waste energy. It is the same with pumps."